QR codes are an excellent method of directing interested prospects to the specific information they are looking for. QR codes are the “funny looking little boxes” that look like some kind of weird barcode. Well, that’s more or less what they are. But you can really use them effectively for your auto repair shop marketing and increase your car count.

QR codes are becoming more popular every day. They are the little squares that look like a ‘fun’ barcode made of squares. In fact, they are barcodes. These are called “two-dimensional” barcodes.

You’re seeing them in more advertisements, restaurant signs, and even retail store and magazine ads. Its role is to get the customer’s response and show interested users the information they want. They’re perfect for auto repair shop marketing because you can use them to direct leads and customers to the specific information they’re looking for.

Consider all the different services you provide. Things like the front end, brakes, alignment, tire balancing, oil and filter change, air conditioning. The list goes on and on.

Now create an information page for your mobile website and a QR code to direct smartphone users directly to that page. The best thing is that they are free to generate. There are countless websites that allow you to do it online in a couple of seconds.

Just remember that when you use these codes, it is a mobile user (with a smartphone) who is scanning it. So, don’t do anything silly and direct visitors to a normal website that they can’t easily see.

So how do you use QR codes effectively?

SEASONAL SPECIALS: Consider providing details about your A/C Check and Services on a page on your mobile website. Create the QR code and direct visitors right there. When they see the sign; are you hot Cool off with our A/C Special Services and the code, you will attract interested visitors.

SPECIFIC SERVICES: Do you specialize in your car services? Do you like tires and brakes? Create pages detailing information about those services and direct visitors directly to them with a QR code.

REGULAR SERVICES: Create pages on your mobile website with your recommended services for vehicles with 25, 50, 70 or 100,000 miles. Create a QR code for each one. That way, if your customer has a car with 100,000 miles or more, you won’t see (and waste time) looking for information on cars with much lower mileage.

PHONE CALL: Yes, you can generate a QR code for a phone number. Instead of people trying to remember your number or write it down, your sign or advertisement can include one to make it easier to call you. When scanned, the user’s phone appears on your screen with YOUR PHONE NUMBER inserted automatically. No guessing!

SPECIAL OFFERS – OTO’s or UNIQUE OFFERS: Direct users to your Current Promotions page when you advertise “Save on Auto Repair” and a QR code to take them there.

Using QR codes takes your prospect or customer directly to the information they are looking for. That way, they’re left stumbling around your website trying to find it. If they are mobile, they will not even look. Most smartphone users say they’ll click away from a company that directs them to their regular website because it’s too cumbersome to use. Sure they can ‘pinch’ and ‘squeeze’ to zoom, but most just click away from the competition. That’s not going to help YOUR car count, is it?